Oh Cassettes

So a friend of mine found a cassette tape of my songs in a Goodwill Store in Dunlap, TN... population of 200 people. how odd. i'm cracking up. part of me is a little afraid that its one of my early childhood creations... I used to rewrite dirty lyrics to disney songs and release albums for christmas to my family... could they be resurfacing? oh my...

last night i played silverlake lounge. was such a fun night. my friend jessy greene sat in on violin - she's amazing and gorgeous. also ben peeler of course, who is always brilliant. the highlight of the night for me was having mikki james play. despite his self deprecating comments about being uncomfortable on stage, i think he is a brilliant songwriter and i love hearing him play.

oh other highlight of the night was meeting richard grieco. psyched ;)

Gospel Night at Hotel Cafe

Just got home from Brother Sal and Laura Jansen's "Gospel Night" at Hotel Cafe. The show was beyond amazing - completely inspiring and brought me back to my days at church camp. Fun Fact for the Day: If you didn't know, I used to lead campfires at church camp and my parents used to be ministers. ;) It was one of my biggest experiences growing up…

So after the show, I pull into the driveway with my friend Aida and share with her about it. I had to walk away b/c I didn't believe in organized religion anymore and the boundaries and separation I feel it creates between people. At this point I don't identify with anything that creates any kind of separation – labels, religions, sometimes even gender ;) Really – we're all the same, except when we say we're not. And even then, we still are – we just forgot we are.

I had no idea this was all brewing under the surface and I certainly had no idea I would be tearing up in my driveway or writing an extremely personal blog after "Gospel Night" at Hotel. But there it was and I surely did and I feel like I can finally put it to rest and enjoy these songs again with absolute freedom. Yes, I will be singing with em at the next Gospel Night and fillllled with anticipation. ;)

Night,
Tiff

Love Is... Osho

"Love is not an exploitation but a mutual sharing of your being, of your joys, of your music, of your pure poetry of life. It is sharing and it is mutual". - Osho (from "Love Freedom and Aloneness")

This book is possibly my favorite book on the planet. Whenever I find myself getting a little possessive of people in my life I jump up and read this book.

OK signing off. Just wanted to share that quote real quick. Order the book on amazon and tell me what you think. Going to enjoy some sunshine, drink tea and read more of my man Osho! xot

Passing

I just found out that a girl I know passed away two days ago in her sleep while on vacation with her family. She was 29, successful and absolutely stunning. We don't know yet why she died, but I suppose it doesn't really matter - just like that, for no reason at all, she passed and that's how it goes. I have knots in my stomach. I remember nothing but lovely things about her and it just seems so tragic.

I spoke with another friend of mine who was very close to her and he said "I remember all those times we stressed about exams and the right college and the right law school. I regret that. I wish those moments were spent having fun and enjoying life." We never know when our last moment will be and we waste so much time worrying about the future and forget to enjoy each moment we are alive until its too late.

"Waste not, want not".

Don't seek the truth, cease to cherish opinions

My friend Pesci asked me yesterday if i consider myself enlightened. We were joking around, but I thought about it this morning as I was walking down the street to order my latest addiction (decaf, non-fat venti latte;) lol. So...What I concluded is that I am more so than I was yesterday and enlightened enough to know that I don't know my ass from a hole in the ground.

We are very funny, human beings... We so love to define and label ourselves, even when we're being rebellious and "anti" something, we think we're doing the opposite of labeling and we're actually just labeling ourselves "opposite of that". It's so silly and what's the point really? You label yourself and every one else that meets you labels you. Every single one is an opinion and they are all different ones because every point of view is slightly different. We are simply a bunch of crazy people trying to define the undefinable. Trying to explain and understand the unexplainable. Let it go.

A Zen saying - "Don't seek the truth, cease to cherish opinions."

We waste so much time

pretending. worrying. thinking. numbing ourselves. paralyzed from living.

its time to wake up. its time to move forward. its time to live.

Home Sweet NY

It's been wonderful being in NY. It has been extremely hectic - i thought I'd have plenty of free time in 3 weeks to chill, but 3 gigs has turned into 5 gigs, plus a live taping with Woozfly, recording some commercials, and the kicker - recording at the gorgeous LoHo Studios with Todd Perlmutter from Blue Man Group. I'm very excited.. On top of that we got photos back from the shoot last week and they are so cool... Now we're working on redesigning the website and album and all that. Finally came up with a title for the album too. its a secret ;) you'll see..

So.. NY... There is something about coming home to NY that feels so magical. There is so much love in this city and this week being with everyone has been an amazing homecoming. I am even more excited to see everyone at Mercury Lounge on Tuesday. I know that's going to be an incredible night.

One of these days I will get this video blog process moving smoothly and I'll be able to keep a running a video tab up online ;) Still need someone to help edit.. anyone?

Anyway, love to all. gotta catch a train. xx Tiff